The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-11-26
GREAT COTTON FIRE.
Thirteen Thousand Two Hundred
Bales Destroyed in Memphis.
The Value of the staple over Six Hundred
Thousand Dollars, While the Buildings
and Presses Represented Ono Hundred
and Twenty-Five Thousand More.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, Nov. 17.-The most dis
astrous fire that ever visited this city oc-
Cured tonight at z AS o'clock, and resulted
in the complete destruction OF 1920 bales
of cotton and congresses Nos. 4 and OF
the Merchants Cotton Compress and Stor-
age Company. The buildings are located
in the Navy-yard, and are easily accessible
to the lines Of the Louisville and Nashville,
Chesapeake and Ohio and Southwestern
and Louisville, New Orleans and Texas
railroads, each line having tracks running
through the company's grounds. The
fire was discovered among some cotton in
Press No. 6, which is west Of tho railroad
tracks, and contained 8, 200 bales. 1t spread
with great rapidity, and was soon beyond
the control of the men who were on duty,
and who made brave attempt to extin-
guish 1t. In fifteen minutes after the alarm
was sounded the flames had spread to the
cotton stored in Press No. 4, which was to
the south, and which contained 5000 bales.
The entire department Of tho city respond
ed, but could do nothing towards extin-
gushing the flames. They devoted their
attention to the saving Of Press
No. 1, which is to the east OF
the tracks, and which contained 5000
bales Hill, Fontaine Il Co.'s shed, in
which were $4,000 bales of cotton, joins
Press No. 1 to the north, while Zenests &
Co.'S shed, with 1900 bales, is directly
south of Press No. /. All this cotton, "a, 600
bales, was in great danger, but fortunately
the wind was blowing favorably and car
ried tho flames toward the river. But
there another danger was threatened, as
the river fronting the congresses to the
Iod l,co kcVo -.
to Brown IL Jones, and 1t required q con-
slant fight on the part Of his men to ex-
tinguish the fires that were contin-
ually springing up among the barges,
which were in close proximity to
the burning buildings. About forty cars,
belonging to tho Chesapeake and Ohio
and Southwestern railroad, and which
were loaded with cotton ready TO be ship
ped East were burned, together with their
contents. The number of bales burned on
the cars were included in tho &, 200 bales in
compress No. 4. The cotton destroyed was
principally for export. It was valued at
$780, 1000. The insurance can not be ascer-
tanned tonight. 1t was covered by policies
Of tho Compress Company, and none Of
the local companies suffer any loss. The
insurance was placed in st. Louis Mutuals,
Eastern Mutuals Manufacturers Mutuals,
New York Mutual aud other Eastern and
New Orleans Companies. The amount Of
insurance, in all probability, will not ex-
coed 70 per cent. of the loss. The presses
and buildings of the Cotton Press Com
pany were valued ut s125,0OO, which were
also partially insured. The flames cover
ed an area of three blocks, and lighted up
the entire city. The origin of the fire is
unknown, but it is supposed to be incen-
diary. Walter Mendenhall, fireman on the
Little Rock railroad, has been arrested on
suspicion. There is no positive proof,
however, Of his guilt.